The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
London, UK | THE INDEPENDENT | Man City and Arsenal will meet at the Etihad Stadium late on Sunday afternoon, with the hosts looking to continue their strong start to the campaign and lay down a marker in their chase for an unprecedented fifth successive title.
Manager Pep Guardiola has credited Arsenal for their way they have pushed City to another level due to the London side’s strong title bids in the last two seasons: “Before it was Liverpool who pushed us to our limits. Now it’s been [Arsenal] in these last two seasons […]. We get the message, so I know [Arsenal] will be there for many years.”
The weekend’s action gets underway early on Saturday afternoon with a grudge match between West Ham United and Chelsea at the London Stadium. The Hammers were completely outclassed in their last match on home soil (Man City claimed a 3-1 win just before the international break) and manager Julen Lopetegui hopes they learn from that experience.
“We didn’t score and when you don’t score against these kinds of teams, they don’t forgive,” said the Spanish tactician. “It’s true that we did little mistakes and against these kinds of teams in these kinds of matches, you can’t concede these kinds of chances, because they don’t forgive.”
Saturday’s mid-afternoon matches feature Liverpool looking to continue their growth under manager Arne Slot when they welcome AFC Bournemouth to Anfield; another London derby, as Tottenham Hotspur host Brentford; and a potential relegation six-pointer between Southampton and Ipswich Town.
Saturday evening sees Crystal Palace looking to claim the scalp of Manchester United at Selhurst Park, with Eagles manager Oliver Glasner hoping his side can continue to rely on their team spirit: “In this situation it is really amazing how they stick together. I am really proud to be manager of this amazing group.”
Sunday, ahead of the City v Arsenal clash, will also see Brighton & Hove Albion chase three points at home when they welcome Nottingham Forest to the South Coast.
Matches in details
Saturday 21 September
– 13:30: West Ham United v Chelsea
– 16:00: Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers
– 16:00: Fulham v Newcastle United
– 16:00: Leicester City v Everton
– 16:00: Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth
– 16:00: Southampton v Ipswich Town
– 16:00: Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford
– 18:30: Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Sunday 22 September
– 15:00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest
– 17:30: Manchester City v Arsenal
